Maharashtra

St. Urbans-Hof Riesling, Germany, 2007

Amongst the oldest vineyards in Europe, the steep, vine-covered slopes leading down to Germany’s Mosel river produce some of the most famous and long-lived white wines in the world. They are also considered by many as among the most physically beautiful.

The Weis family, owners of St. Urbans-hof (‘St Urban’ being patron saint of German wine, and ‘hof’ meaning estate) own small parcels of a number of these vineyards and have done so for many generations.

Currently in charge is Nik Weis, who has taken the winery to a new level, becoming one of Germany’s most celebrated young producers. He can often be seen toiling along the steeper slopes of his vineyards with a hand plough, where tractors fear to go.

Crisp, yet mineral rich with bags of citrus zest, honey-blossom and subtle hints of the telltale Riesling petrol  nose mark this is as a superb example of this most aristocratic white grape variety.

With its balance of sweetness and high acidity, this is a wine for eastern food, and will pair with many lighter European, Indian, and especially Thai dishes – however it is also a joy to drink chilled, and on its own.

Hunter’s Pinot Noir, New Zealand, 2006

It is not often you find a wine-maker in the Queen’s honours list, and unsurprisingly Jane Hunter’s OBE is only one of a multitude of accolades amassed by this talented and notoriously independent minded wine-personality and viticulturalist.

At the same time as vigorously working to promote New Zealand’s Marlborough region on the world stage, Hunter’s has also developed a wine-making style which has been much copied in Marlborough itself and further afield.

Hunter’s Pinot Noir is the classic Marlborough Pinot: packed with new world fruit – cherries, plums and hints of raspberry – while also displaying the elegance and structure found in Burgundy, the Pinot Noir grape’s old world home.

Three years of bottle age have lent the wine an added layer of concentrated dark fruits including raisins and dried plums, making this wine ideal for gamey meats, tandoors and fine cheeses.

Rolf Binder Shiraz, Australia, 2005

South Australia’s Barossa Valley is both the spiritual and practical home of big, bold-styled Shiraz-based reds. The hardy, alluvial soil, drainage, and powerful, sun-tempered by the maritime breeze off the South Indian Ocean, make for the finest combination of conditions anywhere on Earth for the production of massive Shiraz-based wines of great complexity.

Renowned wine-maker, Rolf Binder, is a typical Barossa master at the difficult art of creating complex wines with massive character and big, bold flavours. Stuffed full of perfumed cedar, tobacco, and spices, and balanced with hot plum and dark cherries, this is Barossa as it should be: big, rich and bursting onto the palate.

Designed primarily for drinking either on its own or with big, barbecued meats – this is very much a meaty wine for meaty dishes.